In-depth reporting by Illinois Public Media News

Listen to the latest Illinois Public Media Newscast:

Play now:

Ill Corrrections Officials Want More Women Prison Guards

Story date: Monday, January 30, 2012 from The Associated Press

State officials are looking for ways to increase the number female prison guards.

The Decatur Herald-Review reported Sunday that the Illinois Department of Corrections wants to boost female and minority recruitment within the department.

Corrections spokeswoman Stacey Solano says female guards are critical at both male and female prisons. The state operates all-female prisons in Lincoln, Decatur and Dwight.

The announcement comes after a recent report by the Chicago-based John Howard Association on the Dwight Correctional Center. The watchdog group said that it received reports of inappropriate behavior from male correctional officers at the all-female prison.

The watchdog group’s report alleges that “inmates expressed distress over lack of privacy.’‘

Corrections officials say the ratio of male to female guards throughout Illinois’ prison system is 5.4 males to 1 female.